Socialist Worker

From bad consciences to the barricadesThe escalation of the civil rights struggle

(SW, 21 August 1969)

Research:
Dave Widgery

1967 Civil Rights Association founded. Like National Council for Civil Liberties, a middle-class conscience group with a tame Unionist on executive. Press statements asked Stormont to be more liberal.

Aug 1968 A CRA-sponsored march In Dungannon for better housing.

Oct 5 Police riot against civil rights demonstration in Derry which defied a government ban. Catholics fight back on Lecky Road. Sympathy demonstration in Dublin. “This is not a riot. It is an uprising. It is an elemental outburst of rage by a class which has been denied jobs, homes and human rights by a regime as near fascist as makes no difference.” – Eamonn McCann.